City earmarks P100 million for school repair

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Local School Board (LSB) has a budget of around P100 million for the repair of school buildings in the city damaged by Typhoon Odette.

Karla Henry, spokesperson of Mayor Michael Rama, said the amount is intended for materials and labor for repairs which the LSB has been proactively using now to restore certain classrooms that have been wrecked by the super typhoon last December 16, 2021.

“Currently they have successfully repaired 90-95 percent of the schools in the mountain barangays of Cebu, and have about 13 schools ready to begin limited face-to-face classes this coming May as per Ms. Melissa dela Cruz, the head of Local School Board,” said Henry.

At least two public schools in the city were given the green light to proceed with the face-to-face classes after getting the Safety Seal from the Department of Education (DepEd).

The two schools now allowed to resume their in-person classes are Lahug Night High School and Mambaling Night High School.

“Also, some private schools applied, we are now validating their compliance,” Henry earlier said.

To recall, DepEd Cebu City Division Superintendent, Dr. Rhea Angtud, said in a press conference that out of the 127 schools in the city under the DepEd supervision, at least 112 were damaged by Typhoon Odette.

Of the 112 damaged schools, 42 sustained major damages, while two were totally damaged.

The two totally damaged were schools in barangays of Pungol Sibugay and Pamutan.

Angtud explained that P300 million was budgeted by the DepEd central office for the rehabilitation of the 112 schools, but as of March 30, 2022, only P30 million has been downloaded to the division office.

“The Cebu City Local School Board is also working closely with DepEd which also has about P30 million fund for damages which they have specifically used for the severely damaged schools,” said Henry.

“While these amounts may seem abundant to many, the Mayor acknowledges that more funding will be needed,” she added.

Rama has submitted to the national government a request for a P15 billion funding intended for the city’s recovery from Typhoon Odette. — GMR (FREEMAN)